Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

OLD FALLS RIVER ROAD, Colorado

This is part II of our wonderful trip up the  unpaved mountain road (Old Falls River Road) in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK in Colorado, on September 17, 2012.   If you missed Monday's post,  go to the bottom of this blog post and click on 'older posts'...

Monday's post talked about some of the things we saw along that road ---as we drove higher and higher up into the mountains...  I ended that post showing you one picture of some snow on the tops of the mountains.  Luckily,  there hadn't been much snow that night before --so all of the roads were opened that day!  However,  we had shorts on ---and I'll admit that it go colder and colder the higher we went up into those mountains!!!!

The picture above shows us standing on a big rock --with the beautiful Fall Aspens blooming behind us!   George set up the tripod for some photos of us since there weren't many people around that day at all (which we loved).




As we got higher,  we could finally see the  Alpine Visitor Center at almost 12,000 feet UP.  See it up there?




This is what our Garmin GPS said when we were getting UP THERE.  See that elevation????




Here's another picture of the SNOW and our road,  as we got higher!!!!!




George caught me taking a picture of the treeless area --when we got up above the 'tree-line'..  Interesting that there was snow in some areas ---and none in other areas!




BUT---it was very cold UP there on the top!!!!!!  Can you tell?  (The wind was one thing which made it feel so cold.... BUT---I will say this:  It wasn't nearly as cold as it felt the day we went up on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina,  on Nov. 8, 2012!!!)




I love this picture of George  'on top of the world'.....  Don't you love seeing us with shorts on ---with SNOW behind us????? ha ha




Here's a happy girl admiring the little bit of snow around her!!!!! ha




Here's what the road looked like --looking BACK down the mountain, where we just came from!!!




FINALLY we made it to the top!!!!!!!  It was a GREAT trip ---and I'd do it again and again... IF you ever get to the Rocky Mountain National Park,  be sure to go on the Old Falls River Road.  You will love it!!!!!


++++++++++++++++++++
Bay Lee and Brooke at Fall Creek Falls
Here's another photo from our family Thanksgiving week.  This is two of my 5 grandchildren.  The one in white is in college and the other one is is high school... Hard to believe how they have grown up so fast!  They are both such gorgeous and smart young women --and I'm a VERY proud Grammy!

Have a great Wednesday.

Hugs,
Betsy

55 comments:

Sharon said...

These last two post settle it! I must go back to RMNP just to do Fall River Road. Guess I'll combine that with seeing the aspens in fall as a bucket list item!

Ms. A said...

I can't believe you two were in shorts!

Cute girls, Betsy!

Big Dude said...

We'll have to try that road if we get back out there - you do look a little chilly.

DeniseinVA said...

I think my knees would have been knocking but those incredible views would have been worth it. Fantastic! Your granddaughters are beautiful and of course I always love the photos of you and George as you are two beautiful people :)

From the Kitchen said...

Breathtaking photos! I'm sure your Garmin must wonder what kind of workout it will get when you and George get in the car!!

Lovely granddaughters.

Best,
Bonnie

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

It is incongruous to see shorts and snow. :-)

Lovely "Grands"!

Jeevan said...

You are so dare to roam around in your shorts in this too cold terrain! I wonder could I withstand even fully covered... lol The unpaved road is inviting for a drive, holding the majestic snow mountains at sight.

Your granddaughters are cute and smart. Glad u met them around the thanksgiving holiday :)

pam said...

Your granddaughters are so cute!! Love that photo of you in shorts with some snow!

Travel Quest said...

Magnificient views! I definitely agree to Pam I love your photo too wearing short with some snow :) Hugs Leah

MadSnapper said...

beautiful girls. I love the one of George on top of the mountain and really love the one of you in front of the rocks, he one where you look cold. and me thinks you were standing on a boulder, not a rock....certainly NOT a pebble to be seen.

Small Kucing said...

The cloud in the 2nd pic looks like a poodle running

wow....so hight......but speed 0?

You certainly can withstand cold. Saw you wearing short.

linda m said...

Guess this is why it is called "God's Country". Snow and in shorts, you are brave. Your grand daughters are beautiful.

MTWaggin said...

That is MY kind of road!!!

imac said...

Great and beautiful shots Betsy, well with only 1 road, glad you had guidance to help you follow the road,lol.

TexWisGirl said...

cute grandgirls. :)

brrr with the shorts and snow! :)

Shug said...

How about those poles on the sides of the road....Now that's some deep snow!
God has truly given us an amazing canvas right here on this earth! Beautiful!
Hope you and George have a fun day..Shug

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I love that picture of you, with your shorts and blue jacket, pointing at the snow. So cute. Your granddaughters are beautiful. It must run in the fammily. :)

I Am Woody said...

Such beautiful girls! I'm can just imagine how proud you are!

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful captures as always and it does look cold, but so lovely!! Great shot of your granddaughters!! Looks like another fun, wonderful trip!! Hope your week is going well, Betsy!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I adore this picture of George! And you between the two Do Not Enter signs, quite cute. Are you still dieting? Has your doctor said you may be too thin now? Maybe some Snickers bars are in order! Wish I had that problem. But I bet that elevation was no stress at all to your breathing.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great photos! You do look a little chilly in those shorts. :) How wide is that road? I'm wondering about meeting someone coming down while you're going up!

Your granddaughters are cuties!

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

You travel to such beautiful places. And you have two very lovely granddaughters!

Rose said...

Betsy, those granddaughters of yours are beautiful!

I really love the views you posted...specially the one looking back.

You need to keep a pair of jogging pants of something extra in your car for times like this--I just hate being cold. I always have a jacket or heavy flannel shirt in the car. Even in summer for when we go in a restaurant and it is too cold.

Ruth Hiebert said...

The scenery is so gorgeous. You do look a little cold but I'm sure seeing the snow warmed your heart.If that didn't do it,those lovely granddaughter would certainly melt a grandmother's heart.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Brrr, it does look cold up there!

Dorothy said...

Great pictures, Betsy, but you look like you are freezing to death!! I would be, for sure! I like to explore and climb those mountains of the little roads! We didn't go that far when we were there! I think we need to go back, don't you?

eileeninmd said...

Gorgeous photos, Betsy! Now You have me wanting to go to Colorado. The trees and mountains scenes are lovely. The shot of George with the snowcapped mountains is awesome. Great series, have a wonderful evening.

Ann said...

The scenery is breathtaking. So beautiful. I think I would have been freezing in those shorts though...lol You were really way up there, that's some elevation.
Your granddaughters are beautiful. How nice that you got to spend time with them over Thanksgiving

Kay said...

I was using my Garmin GPS when we were driving up to Mt. Lassen in October and I kept losing my signal.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

You needed to pack some warmer clothes for that trip! Brrr. Beautiful scenery.
Beautiful grand daughters too. I see they have nice smiles like their grandma.

happyone said...

A beautiful place to be!!
Your granddaughters are very pretty and have great smiles, just like their grandma!

Donna said...

I love those rocky mountains! Beautiful photos! I'm not surprised that there was snow way up there at the top.

And your granddaughters are gorgeous!

Chatty Crone said...

Okay I loved seeing you and George in shorts with the snow right behind you - AWESOME. Your two granddaughters are beautiful and I know you are proud of them! Nice photos. sandie

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Were those shorts? And snow? Looks like a really good time. Gorgeous granddaughters you have!

Carletta said...

Gorgeous scenery!
Just seeing you two in shorts and looking at snow made me feel cold. :)
Your granddaughters are very lovely Betsy!

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

A beautiful journey depicted in FABULOUS photos...I thought of the cold and yet you are both wearing shorts so I guess when you began walking, it was warmer.
Lovely lovely granddaughter..May God Bless them.

Terry and Linda said...

We drove on over IN A Snow Storm last year. It's beautiful but I am not a friend of icy roads!!1

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Marie said...

What a beautiful area! Great pics of you and George in shorts with snow around! Your granddaughters are very pretty!

Small City Scenes said...

Beautiful photos, Betsy. Isn't it amazing that you can drive up so high. Maybe we will get there someday. Hey, Maybe on our way to Tennessee!!! Beautiful grand-daughters you have there. Very lovely. MB

Small City Scenes said...

Oh BTW: I love the church in your header. Perfect. MB

A Colorful World said...

Fabulous pictures! I enjoyed them so much! Those grand-daughters look so sweet!

Anonymous said...

What a great trip! (Weren't your legs a bit cold when you hit the snowline?)

Busy Bee Suz said...

It is so funny seeing you wearing shorts AND snow...lOL!
So glad you got to see your grand-girls.
XOXO

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

We spent many summers and Christmas vacations out that way when I was a kid and teenager.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, so glad you were able to spend it with family!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Fantastic photos. The scenery is breathtaking. Loved the tour with you.
You have a beautiful family. I'm sure you had a wonderful time with them on Thanksgiving.

Thank you very much, Betsy, for sharing my blog with your followers. I appreciate very much your kindness.
Have a blessed weekend.

Randy said...

You little Eskimo you! Running around in shorts in the snow! LOL You and George see the most beautiful places. I’m glad I get to see them too, albeit vicariously.

Grandma Bonnie said...

Your granddaughters are beautiful young ladies. I love your photos today. That elevation is a little to high for me. I think my asthma would act up if I got up that high.

Lady Di Tn said...

I got here a bit late but sure did enjoy tagging along with two of my favorite bloggers. You share lots of beauty with us and we are truly thankful. Peace

Anonymous said...

Terrific views. So happy you saw SNOW!

Your granddaughters are lovely.

Miss Debbie said...

You two are certainly adventurous!

Krishna/à´•ൃà´·്à´£ said...

Lovely narrated... and excellent photos

thanks

Linda P said...

I think that's a great achievement to get to the end of that road. We drive up similar mountains in Italy, but I'm glad when I get to the top as I don't like the narrow, winding track and the drop on one side especially if another car is coming the other way. I do trust my husband to drive and the views are worth it in the end.
Your photos are very interesting. I always like to see the ones of you and George. Your grand daughters are beautiful and it's so nice you can get together with them.

Neal said...

I absolutely love that drive. The second picture from the top brings back memories. I took a similar picture (it was farther on just showing the valley below the visitors center) and enlarged it for my mom. It hung in her living room for years.

Connie said...

Betsy, I know how much you love seeing snow! Glad you got the chance there. It certainly is pretty. Lovely photos as always.

The Retired One said...

Looks gorgeous there, Betsy!